New Zealand earthquake statistics: how many a year, the biggest, and the Alpine Fault

Illustration of New Zealand's South Island from the air, with the snow-capped Southern Alps, the straight line of the Alpine Fault along the forested West Coast, and rings rippling out from the fault

How many earthquakes New Zealand has each year, the biggest and deadliest on record, and the odds of the next Alpine Fault earthquake, from our count of GeoNet's catalogue.

Published

GeoNet located about 20,700 earthquakes in and around New Zealand in 2025, roughly 57 a day, by our count of its earthquake catalogue1. Most were small: about 360 reached magnitude 4 or more, and two reached magnitude 6 or more. GeoNet says it locates about 20,000 earthquakes a year2.

Key facts

  • About 20,700 earthquakes were located by GeoNet in the New Zealand region in 2025 (our count)1.
  • 50 to 80 earthquakes a day, or about 20,000 a year, is GeoNet's long-run figure2.
  • About 41 earthquakes of magnitude 5 to 5.9 strike each year, and one of magnitude 7 or more every four years (GeoNet averages since 1960)3.
  • Magnitude 8.2 was the Wairarapa earthquake of 23 January 1855, the largest since European colonisation began in 18404.
  • 256 people were killed in the 1931 Hawke's Bay (Napier) earthquake, the deadliest on record (3 February 1931)5.
  • 185 people died in the Christchurch earthquake (22 February 2011)6.
  • More than 20 faults ruptured in the magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura (Kaikoura) earthquake, a world record (14 November 2016)7.
  • 75% probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, and a 4 out of 5 chance that it will be a magnitude 8+ event, according to AF8, based on a 2021 study89.

How many earthquakes does New Zealand have a year?

GeoNet located 20,659 earthquakes in the New Zealand region in 2025, by our count of its catalogue1. From 2000 to 2025 the count averaged about 20,600 a year, in line with GeoNet's figure of about 20,000 a year2.

  • The busiest year was 2016, with 32,207 earthquakes1, the year of the magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake and its aftershocks.
  • The quietest year was 2002, with 11,5201. GeoNet notes that its network could not detect every small earthquake in earlier years3, so part of the rise since then reflects better detection rather than more shaking.
  • From January to September 2026, GeoNet located 16,030 earthquakes (our count)1.
  • In the 365 days to 14 October 2026, GeoNet's statistics page counted 22,106 earthquakes2.
Earthquakes in the New Zealand region per year by magnitude, 2000–2025Number of earthquakes located by GeoNet each calendar year (UTC), by magnitude band. Source: our count from the GeoNetcatalogueUnder M2M2–2.9M3–3.9M4 and overSource: GeoNet FDSN event web service — Motorhome Choice count (extracted 14 Oct 2026)10K20K30K40K2000200220042006200820102012201420162018202020222024Year
Earthquakes located in GeoNet's New Zealand region each year, by magnitude. Counts of small earthquakes partly reflect changes in detection over time. Source: GeoNet earthquake catalogue, 14 October 2026.

How many earthquakes are there in New Zealand each day?

New Zealand averaged about 57 earthquakes a day in 20251. GeoNet says it locates between 50 and 80 earthquakes each day2.

  • The busiest day in the year to 14 October 2026 brought 139 earthquakes, on 5 May 2026, according to GeoNet2.
  • Just over half of the 2025 earthquakes (10,494) were smaller than magnitude 21.

How often does New Zealand have a big earthquake?

New Zealand has about 41 earthquakes of magnitude 5 to 5.9 a year, about 1.9 of magnitude 6 to 6.9 and one of magnitude 7 or more every four years, according to GeoNet's records since 19603. GeoNet puts magnitude 8 earthquakes at about one a century, based on geological and historical evidence.

  • Our count of GeoNet's catalogue found 1,091 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or more in 2000–2025, about 42 a year1.
  • 2020 had the most, 1141. Next was 2016, the year of the East Cape and Kaikōura earthquakes, with 111, including 10 of magnitude 6 or more.
  • 2019–2022 were all busy years, with 76 to 114 a year in our count1. GeoNet's long-term table shows the same rise, with 69 to 98 earthquakes of magnitude 5 to 5.9 a year3.
  • In 2025 there were 29 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or more, two of them magnitude 6 or more1.
How often New Zealand has earthquakes of each size (yearly averages since 1960)
MagnitudeAverage a yearFewest in a yearMost in a yearIn general
4.0–4.939831781,1781 a day
5.0–5.94191133 a month
6.0–6.91.9092 a year
7.0–7.90.26021 every 4 years
8.0 or over0001 a century*3

Source · GeoNet, Earthquake Statistics: Long Term (New Zealand region, 1960 onwards), 14 October 2026. The "In general" entries for magnitude 5 and 6 are rounded from the averages. *Based on geological investigations and the historical record of earthquakes.

Magnitude 5+ earthquakes in the New Zealand region per year, 2000–2025Number of earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or more located by GeoNet each calendar year (UTC). Source: our count from theGeoNet catalogueM5–5.9M6 and overSource: GeoNet FDSN event web service — Motorhome Choice count (extracted 14 Oct 2026)204060801001202000200220042006200820102012201420162018202020222024Year
Earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or more in GeoNet's New Zealand region each year. Source: GeoNet earthquake catalogue, 14 October 2026.

What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand?

The biggest earthquake in New Zealand since European colonisation began in 1840 was the magnitude 8.2 Wairarapa earthquake of 23 January 1855 (moment magnitude 8.2–8.3), according to GeoNet4. It killed between 7 and 9 people and was highly destructive in Wellington.

  • It raised the ground by 2.7 m (9 ft) at Muka Muka, on the western side of Palliser Bay, and lifted land around Wellington Harbour; Wellington's Basin Reserve sports ground sits on land raised by the earthquake4.
  • The next largest in GeoNet's list of historical earthquakes are the magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake of 2016 and the magnitude 7.8 Dusky Sound (Fiordland) earthquake of 200910.
  • The magnitude 8.1 Kermadec Islands earthquake of 5 March 2021 struck 1,025 km (637 miles) north-east of Whangārei (Whangarei)11, outside the New Zealand region GeoNet uses for its statistics.
  • Before written records, the last big Alpine Fault earthquake, in 1717, is estimated at magnitude 8.18.
Magnitude 7.2 or larger earthquakes in GeoNet's historical earthquake list, 1840–2026
RankDateEarthquakeMagnitude
123 Jan 1855Wairarapa8.24
2=14 Nov 2016Kaikōura7.87
2=15 Jul 2009Dusky Sound (Fiordland)7.812
4=3 Feb 1931Hawke's Bay (Napier)7.45
4=16 Oct 1848Marlborough7.413
617 Jun 1929Buller (Murchison)7.314
7=5 Mar 2021East Cape7.210
7=4 Sep 2010Darfield (Canterbury)7.215
7=22 Aug 2003Fiordland7.210
7=5 Mar 1934Horoeka (Pahiatua)7.210
7=19 Oct 1868Cape Farewell7.210

Source · GeoNet earthquake stories, headline magnitudes, 14 October 2026. New Zealand dates.

What was the deadliest earthquake in New Zealand?

New Zealand's deadliest earthquake was the Hawke's Bay (Napier) earthquake of 3 February 1931, which killed 256 people (the official toll) and seriously injured 593, according to GeoNet5. GeoNet lists it as magnitude 7.4: moment magnitude 7.4–7.6, or 7.8 on the older surface-wave scale.

  • It struck at 10:47 a.m., and fires in the business areas of Napier and Hastings became uncontrollable as broken water mains cut the water pressure5.
  • The land rose by up to 2.7 m (9 ft) near the mouth of the Arapaoanui River, while parts of Hastings sank by up to 1 m (3 ft)5.
  • The second deadliest, the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011, killed 185 people6.
  • The 1929 Buller (Murchison) earthquake killed 15 people, a number of them overwhelmed by landslides14.
New Zealand's deadliest earthquakes since 1840Number of people killed, as recorded by GeoNet and NZHistory (1855: upper figure of 7–9 shown)Source: GeoNet earthquake stories; NZHistory (Kaikōura 2016)1931 Hawke's Bay (Napier)2562011 Christchurch1851929 Buller (Murchison)151855 Wairarapa91848 Marlborough31968 Inangahua22016 Kaikōura2Deaths
Deaths recorded by GeoNet for each earthquake (1855: 7–9 killed, upper figure shown) and by NZHistory for Kaikōura 2016.
Earthquakes that killed people in New Zealand, 1840–2026 (GeoNet's historical list)
DateEarthquakeMagnitudeDeaths
3 Feb 1931Hawke's Bay (Napier)7.42565
22 Feb 2011Christchurch6.21856
17 Jun 1929Buller (Murchison)7.31514
23 Jan 1855Wairarapa8.27–94
16 Oct 1848Marlborough7.43 (in the largest aftershock, 17 Oct)13
24 May 1968Inangahua7.1216
14 Nov 2016Kaikōura7.8217
24 Jun 1942Wairarapa6.9118
20 Dec 2007Gisborne6.71 (heart attack)19

Source · GeoNet earthquake stories; NZHistory, Ministry for Culture and Heritage (Kaikōura 2016). New Zealand dates; GeoNet headline magnitudes.

How many people died in the Christchurch earthquake?

185 people died in the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011, according to GeoNet6. GeoNet lists it as magnitude 6.2 (local magnitude 6.3).

  • It was centred within 10 km (6 miles) of the city at a shallow depth of 5 km (3 miles), and struck in the middle of a working day6.
  • It followed the magnitude 7.2 Darfield (Canterbury) earthquake of 4 September 2010, which caused severe building damage but no loss of life: it struck at 4:35 a.m., when the central city streets were deserted15.

How big was the Kaikōura earthquake?

The Kaikōura earthquake of 14 November 2016 was magnitude 7.8, and it ruptured more than 20 different faults (a world record) along about 180 km (112 miles) of the north-east South Island, according to GeoNet7.

  • It struck at 12:02 a.m. local time, 15 km (9 miles) north-east of Culverden in North Canterbury, starting near the town of Waiau7.
  • The rupture lasted nearly two minutes and moved the ground by up to 12 m (39 ft), sideways and up or down7.
  • It triggered the biggest local-source tsunami recorded in New Zealand since 19477.
  • Two people died: one from a heart attack at Mt Lyford and one when a homestead collapsed in Kaikōura17.

What is the Alpine Fault, and how likely is a big earthquake?

AF8 (Alpine Fault magnitude 8) says there is a 75% probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, and a 4 out of 5 chance that it will be a magnitude 8+ event9.

  • The Alpine Fault is more than 850 km (530 miles) long and marks where the Australian and Pacific plates meet and grind against each other, forcing up the Southern Alps8.
  • Its last big earthquake, in 1717, is estimated at magnitude 8.1 and ruptured about 380 km (236 miles) of the fault8.
  • Sediments in four West Coast lakes and two swamps record 20 earlier Alpine Fault earthquakes over the past 4,000 years, some of them magnitude 7 ruptures that stopped partway along the fault8.
  • The odds come from a 2021 study led by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington; before it, the chance had been thought to be about 30%8.
  • Large earthquakes on the fault have come at intervals of around 300 years on average, according to Otago Regional Council20.
  • Otago Regional Council points people to getready.govt.nz for advice on preparing for a big earthquake20; read it before touring the South Island with campervan hire in New Zealand.

How deep are New Zealand's earthquakes?

Half of the earthquakes GeoNet located in New Zealand in 2025 were shallower than 24 km (15 miles), by our count1, and 68% were 40 km (25 miles) deep or shallower.

  • About one in five (20%) were 100 km (62 miles) deep or more1.
  • The deepest was 538 km (334 miles) below the surface1.
  • The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was just 5 km (3 miles) deep and within 10 km (6 miles) of the city6.
How deep New Zealand's earthquakes were in 2025Share (%) of the 20,659 earthquakes GeoNet located in 2025, by depth below the surface. Source: our countSource: GeoNet FDSN event web service — Motorhome Choice count (extracted 14 Oct 2026)10%20%30%40%36.4%0.8%0–15 km15–40 km40–100 km100–300 km300 km or moreDepthShare of earthquakes
Share of the 20,659 earthquakes GeoNet located in its New Zealand region in 2025, by depth below the surface. Source: GeoNet earthquake catalogue, 14 October 2026.

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References

  1. GeoNet FDSN event web service (earthquake catalogue query)service.geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  2. GeoNet: Earthquake Statistics (recent)geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  4. GeoNet: M 8.2 Wairarapa, Tue, Jan 23 1855geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  5. GeoNet: M 7.4 Hawke's Bay, Tue, Feb 3 1931geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  6. GeoNet: M 6.2 Christchurch, Tue, Feb 22 2011geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  7. GeoNet: M 7.8 Kaikōura, Mon, Nov 14 2016geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  9. AF8 [Alpine Fault magnitude 8] – home pageaf8.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  11. GeoNet: M 8.1 Kermadec Islands, Fri, Mar 5 2021geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
  12. GeoNet: M7.8 Dusky Sound, Wed, Jul 15 2009geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
  13. GeoNet: M 7.4 Marlborough, Mon, Oct 16 1848geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  16. GeoNet: M 7.1 Inangahua, Fri, May 24 1968geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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  18. GeoNet: M 6.9 Wairarapa I, Wed, Jun 24 1942geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
  19. GeoNet: M 6.7 Gisborne, Thu, Dec 20 2007geonet.org.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
  20. Otago Regional Council: Alpine Faultorc.govt.nzRetrieved 2026-10-14
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